Pathology and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Expression in Placentas of Seropositive Women

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Abstract
The pathology of term placentas from seropositive human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-infected and seronegative women was investigated byroutine histologic, immunocytochemical, and in situ hybridization techniques. Placentas were evaluated forevidence of villitis, chorioamnionitis, and funisitis. Membranes, trophoblast, anddecidua were also examined byimmunohistochemistry using monoclonal HIV p24 antibody. Twenty placentas were evaluated by combined immunochemical and in situ hybridization techniques, using a 35S-labeled RNA probe complementary to the 3′long terminal repeat and envelope region of HIV-1. HIV-seropositive placentas did not shows ignificant villitis; however, the incidence of chorioamnionitis increased (P < .01). HIV antigens and nucleic acids were identified in the trophoblast of 10%of the placentas that also showed chorionitis. Term HIV-positive placentas may show histologic changes that may or may not bedirectly related to the virus. Analysis of tissues from earlier gestational placentas may prove more informative in clarifying the mechanism of maternal-fetal HIV transmission.

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